Protests over Russian anti-gay law focus on Sochi

By DAVID CRARY , Associated Press

Jan. 31, 20141:35 PM ET

Despite seven months of international outcry, Russia's law restricting gay-rights activity remains in place. Yet the protest campaign has heartened activists in Russia and caught the attention of its targets — including organizers and sponsors of the upcoming Sochi Olympics.

Over the past two weeks, major sponsors Coca-Cola and McDonald's have seen some of their Sochi-related social media campaigns commandeered by gay-rights supporters who want the companies to condemn the law. Several activists plan to travel to Sochi, hoping to team up with sympathetic athletes to mount protests.

And on Friday, a coalition of 40 human-rights and gay-rights groups from the U.S. and Europe released an open letter to the 10 biggest Olympic sponsors, urging them to denounce the law and run ads promoting equality for gays.

Despite seven months of international outcry, Russia's law restricting gay-rights activity remains in place. Yet the protest campaign has heartened activists in Russia and caught the attention of its targets — including organizers and sponsors of the upcoming Sochi Olympics.